The EPS provides that the scheme was usually run underneath the corporate title Group Venture Inc., and is believed to have been ongoing between October 2008 and December 2020.
On August 30, 2023, two suspects turned themselves into custody. Curtis Gordon Quigley, 56, and Kathleen Treadgold, 56, each of Edmonton, are charged.
Detective Herczeg with the EPS is asking the general public to be cautious of any funding alternatives that appear to be too good to be true. Some ways in which you are able to do this embody:
- Checking with the Better Business Bureau
- Doing a company search to see if the business is a legally registered entity
- Doing a Google search to see if the corporate comes up, or if there’s any conflicting details about the corporate
- When shopping for securities, at all times examine with the Alberta Securities Commission (or your respective provincial regulatory physique) to find out whether or not the vendor is registered to promote securities
“Ponzi schemes work on the premise of providing initial financial gain, so most victims believe the investment to be profitable and then invest additional principle,” stated Herczeg. “In most Ponzi schemes, some initial investors will receive a full return on their investments, and the fraudster then uses those individuals as references to convince the more skeptical investors to buy in.”
It is believed by the EPS that there could also be further victims and they’re asking them to come back ahead.
Victims can cellphone the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a cell phone. Tips will also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, on-line at P3Tips.com, or through the use of the P3 Tips cellular app.
READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now
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If you’ve gotten a information tip, query or concern, please electronic mail [email protected].
